Pre-Validation and Optimization of Intralogistics Systems in Development Using High-Fidelity Discrete Event Simulations

Discrete Event Simulation models are widely spread tools to represent intralogistics systems and to optimize their designs. To ensure reliable model behaviour, validation using real-world data is a common method. However, validating models representing not yet existing systems becomes challenging due to the lack of these data. This paper proposes a method to pre-validate a new DES-model representing a system in development. To pre-validate this new model, another simulation model is validated. Since both models share the same software components, process flows and logics, pre-validation of the new model is achieved based on validation of the other model. Furthermore, optimization aimed at reducing resources is analysed: In this evaluation the system’s customer throughput with reduced personnel is compared to a reference with standard staffing. Simulation results are compared using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, suggesting the system with reduced personnel can achieve the same throughput as the reference system with standard staffing.